Matrix coating apparatus

ABSTRACT

A matrix coating machine in which the matrices are moved by first and second conveyor wheels consecutively through a first and second portion of an arcuate track. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, applicators apply coating solution to defined areas on the sides of the matrices. The coating solution is supplied to the applicators on a demand basis as determined by movement of the matrices along the arcuate path. In another embodiment of the invention, the entire matrix is coated by movement through a tank located along one portion of the arcuate path.

I United States Patent [151 3,669 068 9 Geitz [451 June 13, 1972 [54] MATRIX COATING APPARATUS 2,250,720 7/1941 [72] Inventor: Norman C. Geitz, 2178 Pratt Avenue, Des Plames, I11. 60016 2548456 4/195] [22] Filed: May 25, 1970 2,987,955 6/1961 [21] Appl. No.: 40,945 l'536l86 Primary Examiner-John P. McIntosh Related US. Application Data Attorney parken Caner & Markey [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 866,598, Oct. 15,

1969, abandoned. [57] ABSTRACT A matrix coating machine in which the matrices are moved by [52] Cl 18/64 I 75 y-g first and second conveyor wheels consecutively through a first s I] In! Cl Bose 1/02 Bosc 1/16 and second portion of an arcuate track. In the preferred em- 58] i 230 5 236 64 bodiment of the invention, applicators apply coating solution 267 1 5 17822 to defined areas on the sides of the matrices. The coating solution is supplied to the applicators on a demand basis as determined by movement of the matrices along the arcuate path. In [56] Rderences Cited another embodiment of the invention, the entire matrix is n- STATES PATENTS coated by movement through a tank located along one portion of the arcuate path. 1,046,157 12/1912 Drew ..15/77 UX Nordquist eta]. ..l98/212 X 8 Chins, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEuJum m2 3.869.088

SHEET 1% 4 War/m2 6' 14/?) MATRIX COATING APPARATUS This is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, Ser. No. 866,598,filed Oct. 15, 1969, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with a machine for coating at least portions of the sides of linotype matrices.

An object of this invention is a matrix coating machine which will coat either selected portions or all of a matrix.

Another object is a matrix coating machine having means to dry the coated matrices.

Another object is a matrix coating machine in which the coating solution is applied to the applicators on a demand ba- Another object is a matrix coating machine having at least two coating applicators with each applicator being individually supplied with coating solution on a demand basis.

Another object is a matrix coating machine having means for cleaning the coating solution from the coating applicators.

Other objects will be found in the following specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a machine embodying the novel features of this invention with parts removed and others broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a partial rear elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1 with parts removed and others broken away;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the machine control panel;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a portion of a modified form of a coating apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial elevational view showing a conveyor wheel and blades of the machine of this application moving a matrix into contact with a coating solution applicator;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the applicator coating a matrix;

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing a matrix engaged by the blades of a conveyor wheel;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a coating solution applicator;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the drying tunnel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a front elevational view of a matrix cleaning machine on which the coating apparatus of this invention may be installed. The matrix cleaning machine includes a housing 11 mounted on a bench or other support 12. A cover 13 (FIG. 3) normally encloses the upper portion of this housing, but it has been omitted from the drawing of FIG. 1 for clarity of illustration. The matrices 14 (FIG. 8] to be coated are stored in a magazine 15 mounted on top of the housing. The matrices are fed one at a time from the magazine to a track 17 formed by grooves cut in the sides of a channel 18. As each matrix is dropped onto the track, it is engaged by a set of blades 19 of a first conveyor wheel 21. The wheel 21 rotates clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, in synchronized relationship with the feeding of the matrices so that each set of blades 19 pick up a matrix as it drops from the magazine 15. The blades 19 then carry the matrix along a first portion of the channel 18 which is in the shape ofa segment ofa figure eight.

After a matrix 14 is carried along the first segment of the channel 18 by the blades 19 of the first conveyor wheel 21, it is picked up by a set of blades 23 of a second conveyor wheel 25 which rotates in a direction opposite to that of the first conveyor wheel. The blades 23 carry the matrix along a second segment of the channel 18. When this machine is used for cleaning purposes, rotary brushes are mounted on hubs 27 and 28. However, when the machine is used for coating, these brushes are removed.

A first coating applicator 29 is positioned to engage one side of a matrix 14 as the matrix is moved along the first segment of the channel 18. As viewed in FIG. 1, this applicator is located on the right hand side of the conveyor wheel 21 near the upper portion thereof. A second coating applicator 31 is located near the upper portion of the second conveyor wheel 25 and to the left thereof as viewed in FIG. 1.

After the matrices leave the channel 18, they drop through a straight chute 33 into a curved chute 35 and onto a chain conveyor 37 which carries them through a drying tunnel 39. To permit the matrices to move into the arcuate chute and on to the chain conveyor one at a time, a detent brush 41 is installed in chute 33. This detent brush holds a matrix until the matrix is pushed out of position by the following matrix. A combined heater blower 45 forces warm air through the drying tunnel 39 to dry the coated matrices. From the chain conveyor, the matrices are passed to a matrix reverser 47 and then to a matrix collector 49.

The coating applicators 29 and 31 are identical in construction and, therefore only applicator 29, which is shown in FIG. 6, 7, 9 and 10, will be described in detail. The applicator 29 includes an arm 55 of generally U-shaped cross-section having a flat base portion 57 and side portions 59. The arm 55 is pivoted to brackets 61 by pin 63. The brackets are attached to the housing 11. Cam surfaces 65 are formed at the far ends of the side portions 59. A coating absorbent material 69 is attached to the base portion 57 of the arm 55 by bending flaps 71,73 of the base 57 over the absorbent material. The absorbent material may be braided or woven felt or other suitable material. A triangular portion of the material is cut away at 75 to provide two separate matrix engaging portions 77 and 79. A portion of the base 57 is bent obliquely at 81 to extend through the cut away portion 75 of the absorbent material 69 to hold the material in position. A spring 85 mounted to the brackets 61 biases the arm 55 into contact with a matrix 14 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. A tube 89 delivers coating solution to the absorbent material 69 of the applicator 29. A similar tube 91 delivers coating solution to the applicator 31. See FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a coating solution is supplied to the applicators 29 and 31 by a pump 101 which draws a coating solution from a reservoir 103. A magnetic clutch pump having VITON or TEFLON" seals has been found to operate satisfactorily but it should be understood that other types of pumps may be used. The pump recirculates the coating solution to the reservoir 103 through a conduit 105. A conduit 107 is connected to the conduit and a manual valve 108 is provided to control the flow of coating solution from the conduit 105 into the conduit 107. The conduit 107 supplies solenoid valves 109 and 111 through a tee fitting 113. Conduits I15 and 117 lead respectively from the solenoids 109 and 111 to the tubes 89 and 91 which supply the applica tors 29 and 31.

The coating solution conduit 107 is connected to a cleaning solution system by a conduit 121. A manually operated angle valve 123 located in this conduit separates the systems. The cleaning solution is stored in a reservoir 125 and the flow of cleaning solution from the reservoir is controlled by a solenoid valve 127. The solenoid valve 127 controls the flow of cleaning solution to metering valves 129 and 131 which in turn supply the rotary cleaning brushes (not shown) which are mounted on the hubs 27 and 29.

Control panel 141 shown in FIG. 4 controls the operation of the machine. This control panel has three single pole, double throw switches each having a center off position. Switch 143 may be operated to energize the machine with or without energizing the driving motor (not shown) for the conveyor wheels 21 and 25. The up position of this switch shown in FIG. 4 will energize this motor while the down position of the switch will energize the machine without operating the motor. Switch 145 energizes the blower 45 and pump 10] in one ofits positions while in its other position it actuates the solenoid valve 127 to supply cleaning solution to the rotary brushes. One position of switch 147 is the coating position and when in this position the switch permits the actuation of both of the solenoid valves 109 and 111. In the priming position of this switch, both of these solenoids are instantaneously actuated to permit the passage of small amounts of coating solution to the applicators 29 and 31.

Solenoid valve 109 is opened to admit coating solution to the applicator 29 upon actuation of a microswitch 151 (FIG. 2). The microswitch is activated by a pivoted arm 153 which is contacted by pins 155 mounted on the conveyor wheel 21 with each pin aligned with a blade 19. Thus, as a pair of blades 19 move a matrix 14 into contact-with the applicator 29, coating solution is supplied through the tubing 89 to the absorbent material 69 carried by the applicator. Solenoid valve 111 is actuated by a fine gram microswitch 161 shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2. The microswitch 161 is actuated by a wire arm 163 which fits in the channel 18 and is engaged by a matrix 14 approaching the applicator 31. When a matrix 14 engages the wire arm 163, the attached arm 165 is lifted from the switch 16], opening the solenoid valve 111.

A cross section of the drying tunnel 39 is shown in FIG. 11. A drying tunnel includes a base portion 171 and an upper portion 173. The base portion has ledges 175 which support the matrices l4 and a centered trough 177 which receives the chain conveyor 37.

A modified form of coating mechanism is shown in FIG. 5. This modified form may be installed when it is desirable to coat the entire matrix including the readable and casting sides. The modified form of coating mechanism includes an open top pan 181 which is positioned to receive the lower portion of the conveyor wheel 21. A matrix moving along a first segment of the channel 18 will pass through the coating solution contained in this pan. A cover 183 may be provided around the wheel to reduce evaporation of the coating solution. The pan 181 may be filled from a tube 185 fed by an inverted can 187 of coating solution so that when the level of the solution in the pan drops, it is replenished until the solution closes the end of the tube. A drain 189 is provided to empty the coating pan.

A coating solution applied to the matrices by the apparatus of this invention may consist of graphite suspended in a solution of alcohol. This coating lubricates the matrices and prevents the adherence of lead. It also prevents galling of the matrices. As is most clearly shown in FIG. 8, it is desirable to coat the sides of the matrices while avoiding the depositing of the coating on the teeth 191 at the ends of the matrices and on the character edges 193 and reference edges 195 thereof. This is accomplished by the use of the coating absorbent felt 69 which has two matrix engaging surfaces 77 and 79. These surfaces provide coating in areas 197 and 199 of the matrices.

The coating operation takes place on one side of a matrix 14 as the teeth 19 engage the matrix in the manner shown in FIG. 6. The teeth push the matrix against the cam surfaces 65 ofthe coating applicator 29. The cam surfaces 65 of the applicator engage the ears 201 and 203 of the matrix to lift the coating portions 77, 79 of the absorbent material 69 above the surface of the matrix. As the matrix 14 is moved by the teeth 19, the cam surfaces 65 of the applicator drop from the ears 201,203 bringing the absorbent material portions 77, 79 into contact with one side of the matrix along the areas 197,199. The coating of these areas of the matrix continues until the cam surfaces 65 engage the ears 205,207 at the opposite end of the matrix, at which time the applicator is lifted free of the surface of the matrix. It should be noted that the area 199 covered with the coating is set back from the reference edge 195 of the matrix so that the coating applied to the matrix does not interfere with identification of the matrix.

I claim:

1. In a matrix cleaning machine having means for removing matrices from a magazine one at a time, an arcuate track to receive and guide the matrices discharged from said magazine,

first and second conve or wheels each having blades to engage the matrices with t e conveyor wheels arranged to move said matrices consecutively through a first segment and a second segment of said arcuate track, the improvement comprising:

coating applicators positioned along the first and second segments of said arcuate track, means to supply coating solution to said applicators as the matrices are moved into engagement with said applica- I018,

each of said coating applicators including an arm pivotally mounted for movement toward and away from the path of travel of said matrices, a coating solution applicator means mounted on said arm, at least one laterally spaced cam means located on said arm on the matrix facing side thereof, and means to bias said arrn toward the path of travel of said matrices so that at least a portion of said coating solution applicator means contacts said matrices.

2. The matrix cleaning machine of claim 1 further characterized in that said cam means of said arm is laterally spaced to position it beyond the outer edge of the main portion of a matrix but not beyond the outer edge of the ear portion of said matrix.

3. The matrix cleaning machine of claim 2 further characterized in that said coating solution applicator means includes an absorbent material attached to the matrix facing side of said arm inwardly of said laterally spaced cam means.

4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that said portion of absorbent material that contacts said matrices is notched to provide separate areas of contact with said matrices.

5. The matrix cleaning machine of claim 1 further characterized in that means are provided to dry said coated matrices with said means including a tunnel adapted to receive said matrices, a source of heated air and means to force said heated air through said heated tunnel.

6. The matrix cleaning machine of claim 1 further characterized in that a pair of laterally spaced cam means are provided on said arm on the matrix facing side thereof, said lateral spacing is such to position the cam means beyond the outer edges of the main body portion of a matrix but not beyond the outer edges of the ear portions of said matrix, said coating material applicator means includes an absorbent material attached to the matrix facing side of said arm and located inwardly of said laterally spaced cam means, and said portion of absorbent material that contacts said matrices is notched to provide separate areas of contact with said matrices.

7. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said means to supply coating solution to said applicators includes a coating solution reservoir, a pump connected to said reservoir and supplying coating solution to conduits which discharge on said applicators, valve means to control the flow of solution from said pump to said conduits, and means associated with at least one of said conveyor wheels to open said valve means to admit fluid from said pump to said conduits upon rotation of said blades.

8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that a separate valve means and valve opening means is provided for each applicator. 

1. In a matrix cleaning machine having means for removing matrices from a magazine one at a time, an arcuate track to receive and guide the matrices discharged from said magazine, first and second conveyor wheels each having blades to engage the matrices with the conveyor wheels arranged to move said matrices consecutively through a first segment and a second segment of said arcuate track, the improvement comprising: coating applicators positioned along the first and second segments of said arcuate track, means to supply coating solution to said applicators as the matrices are moved into engagement with said applicators, each of said coating applicators including an arm pivotally mounted for movement toward and away from the path of travel of said matrices, a coating solution applicator means mounted on said arm, at least one laterally spaced cam means located on said arm on the matrix facing side thereof, and means to bias said arm toward the path of travel of said matrices so that at least a portion of said coating solution applicator means contacts said matrices.
 2. The matrix cleaning machine of claim 1 further characterized in that said cam means of said arm is laterally spaced to position it beyond the outer edge of the main portion of a matrix but not beyond the outer edge of the ear portion of said matrix.
 3. The matrix cleaning machine of claim 2 further characterized in that said coating solution applicator means includes an absorbent material attached to the matrix facing side of said arm inwardly of said laterally spaced cam means.
 4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that said portion of absorbent material that contacts said matrices is notched to provide separate areas of contact with said matrices.
 5. The matrix cleaning machine of claim 1 further characterized in that means are provided to dry said coated matrices with said means including a tunnel adapted to receive said matrices, a source of heated air and means to force said heated air through said heated tunnel.
 6. The matrix cleaning machine of claim 1 further characterized in that a pair of laterally spaced cam means are provided on said arm on the matrix facing side thereof, said lateral spacing is such to position the cam means beyond the outer edges of the main body portion of a matrix but not beyond the outer edges of the ear portions of said matrix, said coating material applicator means includes an absorbent material attached to the matrix facing side of said arm and located inwardly of said laterally spaced cam means, and said portion of absorbent material that contacts said matrices is notched to provide separate areas of contact with said matrices.
 7. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said means to supply coating solution to said applicators includes a coating solution reservoir, a pump connected to said reservoir and supplying coating solution to conduits which discharge on said applicators, valve means to control the flow of solution from said pump to said conduits, and means associated with at least one of said conveyor wheels to open said valve means to admit fluid from said pump to said conduits upon rotation of said blades.
 8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that a separate valve means and valve opening means is provided for each applicator. 